28 September 2010 - Due to numerous
complaints from the public that they were not given enough time to organise
their donations to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund, the Coordinating Committee
has decided to hold another Radio-thon. This
will be held between 11.00am and 1.00pm on Thursday, 30 September.

The Radio-thon that
was held last Saturday raised a total of $833,867.45.

The Chair of the
Coordinating Committee, Busby Kautoke, who is also the Chief Secretary and
Secretary to Cabinet said, "We are very grateful to the members of the public
for their generous donations that we have received so far. We are particularly
indebted to the Ministry of Education for the fund -raising that was held by
schools. We are also indebted to the students of Tonga High School,
student teachers of the Tonga Institute of Education, as well as to the
students and brass band from the Tonga College Atele, for their tireless work
in collecting donations on the streets on Saturday."

The Committee is currently
following up pledges that were made via telephone by church congregations, kava
clubs, government departments, as well letters of appeal that were sent to
business houses.

The Deputy Chair of
the Coordinating Committee, Paula Taumoepeau, who is also the President of the
Tonga Chamber of Commerce, said that the second radio-thon on Thursday gives
the public a final opportunity to make their donations before the total amount
is transferred to Christchurch
on Friday, 1st October.

The second
radio-thon will again be broadcast nationally on TBC Radio A3Z. It will be held
at the same location next to the Talamahu Market and will begin after the
official closing of the 2010 session of the Legislative Assembly.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2010